Welcome back to Fish and Game's weekly fishing
report... and a special hello to those who've joined since last
year! The report is emailed to subscribers each Thursday through
early October. It is written by fisheries biologists, technicians
and others, all of whom are writing from their own angling experience
and their enthusiasm for fishing!
And don't forget to buy your license -- you can
even do it online at www.nhfishandgame.com!
Central Lakes Region
by Don Miller, Large Lakes Fisheries Biologist
What a difference a year can make! Last year
at this time we were looking at nearly ice-free conditions on our
big lakes. As of this report we still have more than two feet of
ice on the big lakes, and impressive snow pack lingering in the
woods. Don't despair, the recent warm-up has raised brook and stream
levels and spring is definitely here!
For many anglers, early
spring means one thing -- landlocked salmon! This 6-pound
male was caught during fall netting operations at Lake Winnipesaukee.
Photo by Don Miller
April 1 is synonymous with landlocked salmon
in the Lakes Region. Although we are probably weeks away from official
ice-out, there are a number of places and means to wet a line for
these fantastic fish. Public docks usually are kept ice-free by
aerators and are great places to fish. Try the Lake Winnipesaukee
public docks at Meredith, Wolfeboro, Center Harbor, Alton Bay, Glendale
and Weirs Beach. The Merrymeeting River in Alton usually has a good
mix of landlocked salmon and oversized rainbow trout for anglers
to pursue. Remember, this stretch of the river is fly-fishing only,
barbless hooks and catch and release through June 15. Good river
flows are key here in drawing fish upstream.
The Newfound River (outlet of Newfound Lake)
offers some fine fly-fishing-only water for salmon and rainbow trout.
This fishery depends on strong spring water releases from the lake
to draw fish down from the lake's outlet. This fly-only stretch
has a two-fish daily limit, with a 15" minimum length on salmon,
lake and rainbow trout. The Weirs channel (actually the Winnipesaukee
River) will be open and can be fished from shore or by small boat
or canoe. Open water will extend down into Paugus Bay where live
bait fished along the edge of the ice-pack will be productive for
rainbows and salmon. Remember, spring waters are obviously very
cold -- so be careful, and wear a life preserver at all times.
The bridges at Long and Governor's Island are
great areas to fish. Be aware of posted land and observe the no
parking signs at Governor's Island. Lakeport Dam has a nice stretch
of fast water to fish, just below the dam. Typically, salmon will
"drop down" through the dam in the fall and stage in this
fast water. Try the large open water area in Lake Opechee for rainbows.
The Winnipesaukee River provides some great fishing in downtown
Laconia, all the way to Lake Winnisquam, where there is usually
a significant piece of water for a few trolling boats. Lochmere
Dam at the outlet of Lake Winnisquam provides some great shoreline
fishing and small boat fishing in the river above the dam.
Atlantic salmon broodstock may be harvested beginning
April 1. Try the area below the Route 3+11 bridge in Franklin for
these beauties.
A 7-pound, 4-ounce
male rainbow trout caught in the Lakes Region early last spring
by John Brown of Caanan, N.H. This beauty was taken from shore
and is not a broodstock fish! Photo
by John Viar
Further south, the Sewalls Falls access will
provide anglers the means to try for salmon in addition to brook,
brown and rainbow trout. The Pemigewasset River from Ayer's Island
Dam down through Franklin is stocked repeatedly throughout the season
with all three trout species in addition to Atlantic salmon broodstock.
Remember a special stamp and tags are required in order to angle
for Atlantic salmon. These permits are available at several license
agents in the state.
Milder weather means that small brooks and streams
are open and can be fished with some success, especially with live
bait fished slowly. Stocking will commence first in the southern
areas due to a quicker warm up. Generally, stocking occurs as water
temps are in the low to mid 40's. Walleye fishermen will find a
few fish in the Merrimack River in the Concord, Hooksett and Penacook
(Contoocook) river areas. Patience is key, as live bait (crawlers
and shiners) fished slowly along bottom in deep holding pools will
produce activity. Of course, the Connecticut River produces the
best action for walleyes; fish where tributary streams enter the
main river, and below the dams in the tailrace pools. Water levels
are variable in the spring, and as soon the early surge of ice and
silt-laden water begins to recede, fishing activity in this great
river will pick up.
Spring conditions often change by the hour, so
areas that weren't open or didn't produce on one day, may be the
ticket tomorrow. Enjoy spring fishing in New Hampshire; we all deserve
it after the winter we endured!
All welcome at mercury seminar, May 5 in
Portsmouth
Anglers and conservationists want to know: What's the latest news
and research on mercury in our air and waterways? Find out this May,
in a free program sponsored by New Hampshire Coastal Program, Office
of State Planning.
"Mercury in New England: Ecology, Human Health, Policy &
Education" will be held May 5, 2003, at the Urban Forestry Center
in Portsmouth from 9:30 to 1:00. RSVPs are due by April 15; for details
and a full agenda, click
here.
A
User-Pay, User-Benefit Program Researching and managing fisheries and teaching people
about aquatic ecosystems are funded by your license dollars and by the
Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program. Your purchases of
fishing equipment and motorboat fuels make a difference to New Hampshire's fisheries.
Click here to learn more.
